Why Do We Have Body Hair? Hair is a thread-like outgrowth arising from the skin of mammals. Collectively hairs are often referred to as fur. Hair consists of dead cells containing pigments which give it its color.
Hairs are fixed into pockets in the skin called follicles. Each hair is normally attached to a muscle called an erector muscle, which can make it stand up or lie flat.
The most important job which hair has to do is keep the animal warm. It does this by trapping air, which is then warmed up by the animal’s own body heat.
Hair also keeps cold air away from the body. It can be used to make the animal appear invisible in its surroundings, while in some animals it is used for just the opposite purpose – areas of colored fur are used to attract mates or signal danger.
Animals, such as cats, can make their hair ‘stand on end’, giving the impression to enemies that they are bigger.
Plants sometimes have hairs, too. They arise from the epidermis, the outermost layer of the plant. One of the most familiar plant hairs is the root hair. These tiny, delicate hairs greatly increase the surface area of the root so that it can take up more water from the soil.
While humans have developed clothing and other means of keeping warm, the hair found on the head serves primarily as a source of heat insulation and cooling (when sweat evaporates from soaked hair) as well as protection from ultra-violet radiation exposure. The function of hair in other locations is debated.
Pubic hair does have a purpose, providing a cushion against friction that can cause skin abrasion and injury, protection from bacteria and other unwanted pathogens, and is the visible result of long-awaited adolescent hormones, certainly nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.
What does a lot of body hair mean? Hormones called androgens are the main reason that body hair develops.
Doctors refer to androgens as male hormones, though both men and women produce them. When the female body produces too many androgens, it may develop more body hair than is typical. … PCOS is the most common cause of excess body hair in women.
Content for this question contributed by Jason Barrow, resident of Dickinson county, Kansas, USA
